Last month, Skokie resident Natasha Valodin lost her Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, which she had been receiving for about 7 years.
“I was really frustrated,” Valodin said. “There wasn’t even an explanation.”
Valodin is one of approximately 150,000 Illinois residents that are either at risk of losing or have already lost their SNAP benefits, with eligibility cutoffs taking effect May 1, according to an April news release from Gov. JB Pritzker. SNAP helps low-income individuals and families afford nutritious food through monthly allowances.
The cuts are due to stricter program rules signed into law in July 2025 through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, championed by President Donald Trump.
The law includes changes to work requirements needed to receive SNAP benefits. Previously, only adults aged 18-54 without dependents under 18 were required to work, volunteer or join SNAP Employment and Training programs for 80 hours per month to receive benefits. Now, adults aged 18-64, including those with dependents aged 14 and older, must meet those work requirements.
The bill also removed exemptions from work requirements for veterans and unhoused individuals. Changes to the program took effect in February.
While she is satisfied with shopping at the Downtown Evanston Farmers’ Market, which matches SNAP funds up to $25, Valodin said she has cut down on her purchases and is looking for sales since losing her benefits.
“It’s a concern,” Valodin said. “Food becomes so expensive, and they got no benefits, for no reason. Nothing changed.”
As part of the state’s budget on June 1, Illinois lawmakers approved the Families Receiving Emergency Support for Hunger program, which provides a one-time $400 payment for people that lost their SNAP benefits due to changes to eligibility requirements. The budget for the upcoming fiscal year allocated about $70 million for the program.
Gwynne Kizer Mashon, an associate director in the public benefits practice group at Legal Aid Chicago, said some residents were confused about next steps following cuts to their SNAP benefits.
After reaching out to the nonprofit’s clients, she received responses from about 65 of them who expressed interest in learning about the path forward.
“They just didn’t know that there was still something that they could do,” Kizer Mashon said. “They’re excited to learn what are the next steps for them that’ll help them get back on SNAP.”
Before SNAP recipients can apply for benefits again, they must prove that they have become exempt from the updated requirements or have met them for 30 days. Legal Aid Chicago helps clients file appeals and new applications if they lose benefits.
Kizer Mashon added that the nonprofit is also providing training and educational resources for residents to better understand assistance programs.
“It’s immensely important to the families to be able to afford food, to eat and to have dignity in the way that they can purchase their food and to buy food that’s culturally appropriate to them,” Kizer Mashon said.
Some food banks in the Chicago area are also preparing to expand capacity in the coming months. Camerin Mattson, communications manager at the Greater Chicago Food Depository, said she anticipates a surge in need following the cuts.
“SNAP is one of our nation’s most effective tools against hunger,” Mattson said. “For every meal that we as the emergency food system provides, SNAP provides nine, which tells you the scope of that program.”
GCFD operates or partners with several food pantries and programs throughout Evanston, including at Hillside Free Methodist Church, Ebenezer AME Church and Connections for the Homeless.
The Ignatian Mission Center also serves as a food pantry for Evanston and Chicago residents. Secretary and Executive Director Liam Ford said that while he hasn’t seen an uptick in people needing food yet, several have reached out expressing their fear of losing benefits.
Some have also inquired about completing service hours to meet the new requirements, Ford said.
“We see a lot of people who have not been to food pantries on a regular basis, so they don’t realize that there’s a very extensive network of food pantries,” Ford said.
Ignatian Mission Center is one of several organizations providing meal support listed on the City’s website, which also provides links to information about work requirement changes and other assistance programs.
While she anticipates concerns over food access to rise over the summer, Mattson said she also expects to see communities come together to support residents in need.
“Chicago is an amazing city with residents who really care for our own,” Mattson said. “We are hopeful that they will continue to do that and continue to be there to support neighbors.”
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— Food pantries warn of impending crisis as SNAP benefits return but eligibility tightens
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